Physics paper 1

• Whenever you see the command word 'evaluate', the most important thing is to write a conclusion because you can't get the final two marks of the question without this
• It's also important to compare both sides of the argument or both sets of data and where you can add value, don't just quote values from a table
• When writing a method for a required practical, do it in the form of a numbered list of steps as it makes it much easier to add in something if you've missed something out and it means if you need to talk about repeating then you can say 'repeat steps one to eight' and that's not going to take you very much time
• At the end of writing a method, pause, read through it and ask yourself if a little KS7 student who had never done this practical would be able to follow the steps and answer the scientific question
• You should be confident identifying the variables for any investigation
• Repeatable


  Doing exactly the same experiment and seeing the same pattern
• Reproducible


  Another group of scientists is doing it or you're doing it using a different method and still seeing that same pattern
• Resolution


  The smallest difference in data that you can detect
• Computerized methods like using a digital thermometer tend to be more accurate, more rapid and more sensitive
• When drawing a graph, the line of best fit should follow what your data does, which means that if your data curves, your line of best fit needs to as well
• Systematic errors


  Caused by poorly calibrated equipment
• Random errors


  Caused by lack of precision of equipment or natural fluctuation around the mean
• The way to overcome random errors is by taking multiple results and calculating an average
• 30% of the marks in GCSE physics are for mathematical skills and you can find a full list in appendix 7 of your specification
• Prefixes for units


  • Milli (1/1000)
  • Micro (1/1,000,000)
  • Nano (1/1,000,000,000)
  • Kilo (1000)
  • Mega (1,000,000)
  • Giga (1,000,000,000)
• The only time you would use a number that is not a factor of 1000 in these conversions is for centimeters to meters
• In 2023, you will be given a copy of the equation sheet but it only contains each equation in one format, so you'll likely still need to rearrange them, especially for the higher paper
• The equation sheet doesn't tell you the units of the quantities, so it's a good idea to quickly scribble these down at the start of the exam
• Units


  • Energy (Joules)
  • Mass (Kilograms)
  • Speed (Meters per second)
  • Height/Extension (Meters)
  • Gravitational field strength (Newtons per kilogram)
  • Temperature change (Degrees Celsius)
  • Specific heat capacity (Joules per kilogram degree Celsius)
  • Time (Seconds)
  • Power (Watts)
  • Charge flow (Coulombs)
  • Current (Amps)
  • Potential difference (Volts)
  • Resistance (Ohms)
  • Density (Grams per centimeter cubed or Kilograms per meter cubed)
  • Specific latent heat (Joules per kilogram)
  • Pressure (Pascals)
  • Volume (Meters cubed)
• System


  An object or group of objects
• Ways energy can be stored in a system

  • Magnetic
  • Kinetic (moving object)
  • Thermal (hot object)
  • Gravitational potential
  • Chemical
  • Elastic potential
  • Electrostatic
  • Nuclear
• Closed system


  No matter or energy can get in or out
• In a closed system, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between stores
• Gravitational potential energy


  Energy stored by an object due to its position in a gravitational field
• Calculating gravitational potential energy


  1. Write out the equation

  2. Identify the values for mass, gravitational field strength, and height

  3. Multiply the values together
• Kinetic energy


  Energy stored by a moving object
• Calculating kinetic energy


  1. Write out the equation

  2. Identify the values for mass and velocity

  3. Multiply and square the velocity, then multiply by 0.5 and the mass
• Elastic potential energy


  Energy stored by a stretched or compressed object
• Calculating elastic potential energy

  1. Write out the equation

  2. Identify the values for spring constant and extension

  3. Multiply 0.5, the spring constant, and the extension squared
• For some energy calculation questions, you may need to rearrange the equation to solve for a different variable
• AQA often prefers you to substitute values first rather than rearranging the equation
• Specific heat capacity


  The energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius
• Calculating specific heat capacity

  1. Write out the equation

  2. Identify the values for energy transferred, mass, and temperature change

  3. Divide the energy by the mass and temperature change
• There is a required practical to determine the specific heat capacity of different materials
• Required practical to determine specific heat capacity

  1. Use a balance to measure the mass

  2. Insulate the object to minimize energy losses

  3. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature change

  4. Use a voltmeter and ammeter to calculate the energy transferred by the heater
• Power


  The rate at which energy is transferred or work is done
• Calculating power


  Divide the energy transferred by the time taken
• Efficiency


  The proportion of energy that is usefully transferred
• Efficiency can be expressed as a decimal or a percentage
• The sum of useful and wasted energy transfers must equal the initial energy